BEREA, Ohio – The Browns began the week knowing edge rusher Barkevious Mingo probably wouldn't play in Sunday’s regular-season opener due to his bruised lung. Now, they are facing the possibility of meeting the Miami Dolphins without two other key defensive pieces.

Starting defensive end Ahtyba Rubin (calf) and starting cornerback Buster Skrine (shoulder) sat out today's practice and each is questionable for Sunday's game.

Coach Rob Chudzinski said both players suffered their injuries during Thursday's practice, but Rubin's wasn't known until he arrived at the team facility today. The coach said Rubin's injury is different than the calf injury that caused him to miss all of three games last year and most of another.

Second-year pro John Hughes is behind Rubin on the depth chart. Billy Winn is backing up Desmond Bryant on the right side and can fill in for Rubin if necessary.

“It is what it is,” nose guard Phil Taylor said. “If he doesn’t go, we have big John (Hughes), Kitch (Ishmaa’ily Kitchen) and Billy. They all played last year and I trust them. I know they’re ready to go.”

Skrine, who rode the exercise bike today, will be replaced by Chris Owens if he can't play. It would leave the Browns with only three cornerbacks: Owens, Joe Haden and rookie Leon McFadden. Johnson Bademosi, who's been converted to safety, can also play cornerback if needed.

“Yeah, man, it’s next man up,” Haden said. “We’re gonna have to figure out a way to make it happen. Buster, he’s been working real hard, that’ll be a big setback for him, as far as our defense is concerned. It’s next man up and we have to do what we got to do.”

Owens has struggled with a foot injury all preseason. If Skrine starts, they'll both be on the field a lot in the nickel.

"I'm always prepared anyway, so it really doesn't matter,'' Owens said. "You've got to be prepared for anything that happens, injuries and things of that sort, so you've got to stay ready.''

"We've got the 'next guy' mentality,'' he said. "The next guy goes, you've got to perform and we expect the best from every player we have on the roster, so next guy mentality for sure.''

He said McFadden will be fine if he's pressed into service.

"(He's a) good player, man,'' said Owens. "I think he's ready to go. He got his feet wet during the preseason, so that's always good. Now, these games count and you want to play your best for sure.''

The ailing cornerback group will face a formidable trio of receivers in former Steeler Mike Wallace, newcomer Brandon Gibson and Canton native Brian Hartline.

"They're damn good,'' said Owens. "They've got a lot of money in that receiving corps too. I know Gibson from working out with him back in '09, they've got Hartline, they've got Wallace, that's pretty much one of the fastest guys in the NFL, so we've got our hands full.''

McFadden, who missed part of camp with a groin strain, struggled in his two preseason games against Indianapolis and Chicago.

“I just take whatever mistakes I had on film, I take those and correct them,” McFadden said. “That’s what I’ve been doing in practice. So I don’t have none of those errors anymore . . . It came down to technique, and that’s something that I’m honing in on and working on every day.

“I’m a lot more confident now. I got my feet wet and I’m excited to play now.”

Captains named: Chudzinski announced the team captains Friday as selected by the players. They are: left tackle Joe Thomas (offense), inside linebacker D’Qwell Jackson (defense) and outside linebacker Quentin Groves (special teams). Groves comes as a bit of a surprise given that he played for Arizona a season ago.

Groves was honored by the recognition.

“People don’t realize that special teams can win and lose you ballgames,” he said. “If you don’t take pride in it and if you don’t go out and put your best foot forward, it’s going to show. When I was in Arizona, we would always watch Cleveland because they always had the big punt returns, they always had the great coverage teams and I just want to continue the great tradition here.”

Chuzinski also will pick a fourth captain each week. The opening-game honor goes to receiver Davone Bess, who played five seasons with the Dolphins.

Follow Us

cleveland.com is powered by Plain Dealer Publishing Co. and Northeast Ohio Media Group. All rights reserved (About Us).The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Northeast Ohio Media Group LLC.